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Starting a New School? These Tips Can Help
Transitioning to a new school can be difficult for kids. Whether it’s your child’s first day of elementary school, their first day of high school, or you’re moving to a new school district, starting a new school can affect a child’s academic performance, social development, and mental state. Use these tips for starting a new … Continued
Fun Summer Activities that Promote Learning
Looking for summer learning activities for kids to get your child away from TVs, computers, or phones this summer? Half way through the summer everyone struggles to think of new ideas for summer play time. Below are some ideas to cut the cord and decrease screen time. Embrace Their Interests If your kids have a … Continued
Research: Use of Music Therapy to Support Premature Infants’ Initial Development
Shenfield T, Trainor LJ, Nakata T. Maternal singing modulates infant arousal. Psychology of Music. 2003; 31(4): 365–375. This study analyzed saliva samples of infants to reveal that infants with lower baseline levels exhibited modest cortisol increases in response to maternal singing; those with higher baseline levels exhibited modest reductions. These findings are consistent with the view … Continued
Research: Sensory Processing and Cerebral Palsy
Bumin G, Kayihan H.. Effectiveness of two different sensory integration programs for children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2001; 23(9): 394-399. An investigation of approaches to sensory perceptual motor (SPM) training for children with spastic diplegic CP (abnormal leg and possible arm stiffness), this study determines it is effective for group and individual treatment. … Continued
Research: Parent Perspective on Sensory Integration
Ahn RR, Miller LJ, Milberger S, et al. Prevalence of parents’ perceptions of sensory processing disorders among kindergarten children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2004; 58(3): 287–293. This article shares results of a parent survey indicating that approximately 5.3% of incoming kindergartners in one suburb’s schools met criteria for sensory processing issues based on parental perceptions – … Continued
Research: Sensory Integration/Processing Effect on Learning
Ayres AJ. Effect of sensory integrative therapy on the coordination of children with choreoathetoid movements. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 1977; 31(5): 291–293. This study affirms that children with learning issues, SI deficits and choreoathetosis (involuntary movements) who received SI therapy developed better eye to hand coordination. Ayres AJ. Improving academic scores through sensory integration. Journal of Learning … Continued
Research: Effectiveness of Sensory Integration Theory
Addison LR, Piazza CC, Patel MR, Bachmeyer MH, Rivas KM, Milnes SM, Oddo J. A comparison of sensory integrative and behavioral therapies as treatment for pediatric feeding disorders. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 2012; 45(3): 455-71. This study about children with feeding issues concludes that behavioral and SI therapy used together can build the variety and amount … Continued
Research: Early Identification & Intervention for Communication Delays & Disorders
Conner J, Kelly-Vance L, Ryalls B, Friehe M. A play and language intervention for two-year-old children: implications for improving play skills and language. Journal of Research in Childhood Education. 2014; 28(2): 221-37. Results of this study show that typically-developing two-year-old children who received play and language intervention over a four-week period increased pretend play, comprehension skills, and … Continued
Research: Facilitating Language Development in Infants & Children
Bernhardt BM, Kemp N, Werker JF. Early word-object associations and later language development. First Language. 2007; 27(4): 315-328. This study found that word-object association performance at 17 or 20 months, measured by the Switch task, was related to scores on standardized tests of language comprehension and production up to two and a half years later. The … Continued
Research: Language Development in Atypically Developing Infants & Children
Eilers RE, Oller DK. Infant vocalizations and the early diagnosis of severe hearing impairment. J Pediatr. 1994; 124(2): 199-203. Findings from this study indicate that infants with normal hearing produce canonical vocalizations before 11 months of age, while infants with severe to profound hearing loss do not produce these vocalizations until they are 11 months of age … Continued
Research: Infant Motor Development & Tummy Time
Abbott AL, Bartlett DJ. Infant motor development and equipment use in the home. Child: Care Health & Development. 2001; 27: 295–306. This study concluded “parental education with respect to moderate use of equipment and provision with adequate floor time (tummy time) to practice and experiment with motor abilities might be required to enhance motor outcomes of vulnerable … Continued
Augmentative and Alternative Forms of Communication
Pathways.org produces content (like the article below) for health publications and newsletters that discuss issues related to children’s development. Our content features information for healthcare professionals on talking to families, recognizing delays, and early referrals. For children with severe expressive communication disorders, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) can improve their ability to interact with others in … Continued
Tips for Traveling with Baby
Traveling with baby can be a little more complicated than before your bundle arrived. There is more planning involved and certainly more things to bring along. When taking a trip, it is helpful to know what you may encounter along the way. Read below for some more tips on traveling with baby Flying On an … Continued
Fun Things to Do on Father’s Day
June means the start of warm weather and school vacations, the opening of lakes and swimming pools, and of course Father’s Day. This year, celebrate the father figures in your life with engaging, family activities that are a break from the normal weekend routine. Have a Family Picnic or Grill Outside Take the mess outside! … Continued
Summer Vacation Safety
It’s the time of year your child has been anticipating for months – summer vacation! Why not have fun outdoors with friends and family? Here are some summer vacation safety tips that will help keep your child healthy and active. Beach and Pool Safety At either a beach or swimming pool, there should always be … Continued
Helping Your Child Retain Learning Over Summer Vacation
Summer vacation provides time for your child to relax and have some fun. However, it’s important to help make sure what they learned over the previous year isn’t forgotten. Help children learn and review information from the previous school year by preventing learning loss and keeping them up to date on information that they should … Continued
Augmentative and Alternative Communication For Kids
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a form of communication used instead of or along with talking. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) helps children who have difficulties hearing and/or speaking. These alternative forms of communication can help children take in and understand messages, as well as express their thoughts and ideas with others. What are … Continued
Frequently Asked Questions About Infant Equipment
What is infant equipment? Infant equipment are devices that hold your baby during playtime, activities, and during transportation. How much time should my baby spend in infant equipment? You should limit the amount of time your baby spends in car seats, jumpers, baby swings, and other types of equipment. There are some situations that make … Continued
Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders
A toddler’s food preferences can be very unpredictable. Identify picky eaters vs problem feeders through these telltale signs. What is a picky eater? Eats at least one food from most texture groups e.g crunchy, chewy, mushy, but may not like a variety of food in each group Can manage new food on their plate and … Continued
Outdoor Activities for Kids
Spring is here (or almost here depending on where you live)! As the weather becomes warmer take advantage of the nice weather with some fun family activities. Read below for suggestions on fun outdoor activities for kids. While At Home: Turn Your Backyard Into an Outdoor Play Area – Set up a mini Frisbee or soccer … Continued
St. Patrick’s Day Ideas for Kids
Here are some ideas for kid friendly St. Patrick’s Day activity ideas to encourage creativity and practice fine motor skills. Holiday activities give your little one something to look forward to after school and during weekends. Read below to gather information on crafts for St. Patrick’s Day. These are great St. Patrick’s Day activity ideas … Continued
4 Common Questions about Raising Bilingual Children
There are many misconceptions about raising children who speak more than one language (bilingual). Although parents may at first have concerns about teaching their children multiple languages, there are many benefits of being bilingual. Here are answers to common questions about raising a child who speaks more than one language: Will raising my child in a bilingual … Continued
When to Start Baby on Solid Foods
When should I start my baby on solid foods? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting babies on solid food around 6 months old. What are signs my baby is ready for solid foods? Here are a few signs your baby is ready for solid foods: Able to hold their head up when sitting Shows … Continued
Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Sensory activities are a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with kids, because they add new variations to familiar games and craft projects. Check out these simple Valentine’s Day ideas for kids: Create a Sensory Bin Be creative in designing a Valentine’s Day themed sensory bin. This activity can help your child build vocabulary skills … Continued
What is Early Intervention?
Do you have a concern about your child’s growth or development? Could you complete one of these statements with your concern: “my baby isn’t…” or “my baby doesn’t…” If you suspect your child might have a developmental delay it is important that your child is evaluated to see if they would benefit from early therapy … Continued